NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — An effort to seal Tennessee’s handgun carry permit records from public scrutiny would create an exception for political operatives and lobbying groups to still obtain the entire set of names and addresses.
Republican Sen. Ferrell Haile of Gallatin told the Senate Judiciary Committee this week that his bill is an effort to block the publication of handgun carry permit records on newspaper websites.
He resisted efforts to strip the loophole for political groups from the bill for fear that it would torpedo the entire effort.
Political operatives and advocacy groups want to be able to obtain the names and addresses of all 398,000 permit holders so they can target them for fundraising and campaign mailings.
A vote was delayed by some committee members wishing to do away with that provision.
